Talking machine



1929. H. KUCHENMEISTER 1,742,035

TALKING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1927 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 PATENT OFFICE I HEINRICH KITCHENMEISTER, F BERLIN, GERMANY TALKING MACHINE Application filed May 21, 1927,.Seria1 No. 193,163, and in Germany May 21, 1926.

My invention relates to talking machines and it is an object of my invention to provide a machine of this type which may be operated in any position or, in other words,

5 in which jumping of the stylus from the sound groove is absolutely prevented.

To this end, I provide positive means, which, if desired, may be adjustable and resilient, for holding the stylus in the sound groove irrespective of the position in which the machine is held.

It is another object of my invention to render the position of the stylus independent of the position of the-machine, and to this end I arrange the centre of gravity of the unit constituted by the tone arm and its accessories in the axis about which the tone arm is rocking, and I arrange the counterweight for balancing the Wei ht of the tone arm on a straight line throug the centre of gravity of the tone arm unit with its rockmg axis.

It has already been proposed to arrange the record in vertical position and to regulate the pressure of the stylus by a counterweight, but this is not satisfactory as the pressure of the stylus is subject to variation with the position of the record. This drawback is overcome in my invention by arrang log the centre of gravity of the tone arm unit in the rocking axis of the tone arm, as described, so that the unit will be in unstable equilibrium for any position of the machine.

As in a unit arranged in this manner, and with the counterweight adapted to be displaced on the straight line aforesaid, the pressure of the stylus becomes nil, it is necessary to provide means for holding it in the 40 sound groove at the pressure required for correct reproduction, independently of the position of the machine, and such means may be the adjustable and resilient means referred Talking machines equipped in this manner may be used, for instance, in airplanes foremitting wlreless navigation signals wlthout cooperation on the part of the pilot, or on board ship, in motor cars, and generally wherever talking machines of the usual type are not suitable on account of the liability of the stylus to jump from the sound groove.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention I hold the stylus in the sound groove by the said positive, and, if desired, resilient means at a force which is sufficient for preventing jumping of the stylus notwithstanding any shocks which may occur. The force i is preferably adjustable and may be exerted by springs, elastic bands, fluid pressure, vacuum, electrical means such as solenoids or any other means, as required by the given conditions. i

Talking machines equipped with my novel means may be provided with any suitable appliances such as hooks, suction Washers, belts or the like, instead of the usual feet, slides or protective edges or the like, so that they may be secured upside down, at the railing of a ship, etc.

In the drawings I have illustrated several embodiments of my invention by way of example.

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a machine having a tone-arm unit the center of gravity of which is arranged in its rocking axis and having a spring which is abutted on the record carrier for holding the stylus in the tone groove. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show details thereof on aJarger scale.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a is the frame of the machine, 6 is itsrecord carrier, 0 is the record, d is a nut for holding the record 'on the carrier to prevent its falling ofl when the 1 machine is held upside down, f is the sound box with the stylus e, g is the tone arm, k is the winding handle, i, i are suction washers on the base and on one side or on the sides, of the machine, and is, k are hooks by which it may be secured to a strap for carrying it, or suspended.

g is a balance weight which is adjustable on a rod g extending from the tone arm g, and 9 Which coincides with the rocking axis of the tone-arm unit, is the center of gravity of the system, includingthe partse, f, g and 9 after the weight g has been added. The rod 9 is curved so that, the weight g is dis placed in a line with the center of gravity of the tone-arm unit and the rocking axis g.

7) is a guide mounted on the tone arm 9. and having a slot in which the flanged bushing 1' is shiftable. The bushing 1' is in threaded engagement with a thumb screw 8 having a nut n at its upper end. Z is a supporting member for a flanged roller 0 which engages the dmvmvardly projecting rim of the record carrier 7:. The member Z has a vertical extension with a central bore which engages the vlower untlireaded end of thumb screw 8. m

is a tension spring whose ends are respectively secured to the member Z and to a collar t rotatably but non shiftably secured to the thumb screw 8. By turning the thumb screw s the tension of the spring 122- may be adjusted thus regulating the pressure of the needle e on the record.

It will be understood that the tone arm 9 and the pin Z are free for relative displacement, and that the position of the pin 1 is fixed axially by its abutting against the carrier 7). The tension of the spring we holds the stylus e in the sound groove of the record a at resilient and adjustable pressure so that the stylus will not jump from the groove under the action of shocks. The guide p permits the variation of the relative position of the tone arm and the pin which occurs when the arm is rocking about its axis 9 I claim 1. A talking machine comprising a sound box, a stylus on said sound box, a record, and

' means abutted on said record and adapted to hold said stylus in the sound groove of said record.

2. A talking machine comprising a sound box, a record, and means comprising a spring, said means being abutted on said record and adapted to hold said stylus in the sound groove of said record. I

3. A talking machine comprising a sound m in, a sound box on said arm, a stylus on said sound box, a record, means for holding said stylus in the sound groove of said record, and a balance weight onsaid sound arm adapted to balance the weight of said sound arm and the parts thereon.

4, A talking machine comprising a sound arm, a sound box on said arm, a stylus on said sound box, a record, means for holding-said stylus in the sound groove of said record, and an tltljllf l'illfle balance weight on said sound arm adapted to balance the weight of said sound arm and the parts thereon.

The foregoing specification signed at The Hague. the Netherlands, this seventh day of May, 1927.

l I JOIN RICH KUCHENMEISTER. 

